Water treating apparatus



Oct. 15, 1940. v 9 w. H. sYMoNs WATER TREATING APPARATUS SheetsSheet 1;

Filed June 19, 1935 ATTORNEY Y Oct. '15, 1940. w. H. SYMONS WATER 'IIREA'I'ING APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 5. R Y 84 E w m Oct. 15, 1940. w. H. SYMONS WATER TREATING APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR William h. ymona.

ATTORNEY Oct. 15; 1940.

w. H SYMONS WATER TREATING APPARATUS Filed June 1-9, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR William H. fiymona.

. ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 15,1940

' UNITED STATES WATER TREATING APPARATUS William H. Symons, New York, N. Y.

Application June 19, 1935, Serial No. 21,323

12 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic water softener using zeolite. Hitherto it has not been thought feasible to control automatically the various steps of the softening process from the a meter without the interposition of electrical means between the meter and the valves controlling the flow through the softener.- The small force developed at the meter could not operate the valves previously used, unless it were used to control electric contacts which in turn controlled the flow of electric current through an electric power device as a motor geared to the valvesto operate them. In other types of softener the'operation was controlled by a clock which controlled the making or breaking of the current through the motor operated valves. Still a third type controlled the current through the electrically operated valves depending on the hardness of the water issuing from the softener. In all these. types, a motor, motors or other electrical devices operated from a sourceof electric power, eiiect the operation of the valves. If this power fails as by the blowing out of a fuseor something goes wrong with the electric drive, serious estrouble may result. As acase in point, where the current, through the motor operating the valves, is controlled by a" cam rotated by the meter, ir'the power supply should fail, the motor will not operate the valve for the particular step called for by the "setting of the cam at the time of power failure. Continued rotation of the cam by the meter will set it for controlling the next step or phase. It the power should now come on, the operation of the valves is out or phase with the proper operation of the softener.

.My operation of the softener is by hydraulic means, thus eliminating the trouble and expense of motor operated valves or valves operated by other electrical devices. All three types of control mentioned above will effect the proper operation of the softener through my hydraulic means. A detailed description is given below, however, only-for the type of control depending on the meter. 7

The necessary modification required to adapt my hydraulic means to other types of control,

such as with a clock or the hardness of the water,

will be understood by those skilled in the art. Manual control ofthe softener can also be cffeoted by myjconst'ructlon.

My construction.- is such that the valves controlling tuenow of water to effect the various phases of. thejsoftening operation are in them-' selves opened and shut by the pressure of the 5 water passing; through them, said pressure being balanced and unbalanced in each valve through the opening and closing of a port in the valve,-'the opening and closing of said port in turn being controlled'by the meter or other means. The construction of valve is such that it is self clean- 5 ins.

In one type shown herein, the rotation of the meter recording shaft acts to open and close the ports. In another type asmall proportion of the water passing through some of the pipes of the w softener is bypassed to operate a rotatable device, exemplified in a tip meter described later on, which controls the opening and closing of said ports. The opening and closing of said ports may be efiected by clockwork, or by electrical l5 mechanism controlled by the hardness of the. water drawn from the softener. Many types of control may be used to open and close the ports, said control bearing a predetermined relation to the operation of the various parts of the softener.

There is a' distinct advantage-in controlling the operation of the softeners by hydraulic means only. If the water service fails temporarily the whole operation stops. that is the meter and the devices actuated thereby remain in their posi- 25 tions until the water is on again in the system, when the softener will continue on again from the point where it was interrupted.

Where an intermittent type of softener is used, it is an object of my invention to provide an automatically controlled by-pass for the hard water around the. softener during the time the softener is being reconditioned, thus providing for fire service orother contingency.

v I provide a novel construction and method of operation to reclaim some of the unused brine after regeneration. Novel apparatus is provided to supply a measured quantity of dry salt or other chemical to the reclaimed brine to bring it back to the required density. Novel pressure reducing 40 means are provided to keep' down the pressure of the water on the equipment to within a safe limit.

Similar control and construction as for the softeners can be used to backwash and rinse a sand filter when such is operated with the soften- ,er or independently thereof. My apparatus has provision for complete manual control when it is desired to supersede the automatic control. Further, manual means are provided to advance 5c the cycle of automatic operation. My tipping meter is of novel construction in that the water is retained in the meter for the greater part of its tipping stroke, thus increasing its power.

with my construction the voids of z'eolite are P I quickly fllled with brine at the start of the regeneration. I provide a float chamber in the brine tank whose function it is to retard the s oppage of the rinsing operation until after the zeolite is suillciently rinsed.

A novel feature 'of my construction is the provision of apparatus, such as an ejector, for the backwashing which uses the same water ore than once for baek'washing where there is not a sufllcient supply of water available for this operation. I am also enabled to do the backwashing quickly and with greater force, due to the provision of a centrifugal separator or zeolite trap, than has been practical heretofore because of the possible loss of the zeolite. Also a larger proportion of flner grains of zeolite can be used.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon further study of the description and drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a diagram of the pressure tubes for controlling the valves of the water softening apparatus shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a water softening apparatus having two softening tanks and an elevated brine tank, the operation of the valves of this apparatus being hydraulically controlled from the meter, the brine tank being shown in section, a portion of the salt dissolving box being broken away, as well as a portion of one of the softener tanks. The lower portion only of the salt dosing device is shown.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a water softener apparatus having one softening tank-and a depressed brine pit, the operation of the valves of this app atus being hydraulically controlled from the meter, the brine pit being shown in section, a portion-of the salt dosing device being omitted, and the pressure tubes for the balance valve operation not shown completely.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of the pressure tubes for controlling the valves of the water softening apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

I Fig. 5 is a sectional plan of the centrifugal zeolite trap or separator, taken along the line 6-5 of 8. 6.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the separator take along the line H of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a vertical section through the float chamber located in the brine tank of Fig.2 and in the brine-pit of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a broken away plan of the trip arm and valve operated by the float rod of the float chamber, the valve shown being used in connection with the softening apparatus of Fig. 2. v

Fig. 9 is a fragmental elevation showing a side view'of the arm and valve of Fig. 8, and a portion of the float rod.

Fig. 10. is a section through the valve taken along theline Ill-ll ofFig. 8.

Fig. 11 is an elevation of the float chamber valve' and a fragment of the float chamber wall used for the brine pit of Fig. 3, the trip arm being omitted.

Fig. 12 is a section through the valve taken along the line l2-l2 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section through the valve operated by the tip meter in Fig. 28, said valve controlling the operation of the pressure tubes.

Figs. 14A, 143, 14c, 14D and im are sections, respectively, taken along similarly marked lines of Fig. 15 is a partial elevation andacpartiar vertical section through the valvewith of its operating levers which are controlled" by the cams operation of the pressure tubes.

Fig. 16 is a horizontal section taken along the line l6 l5 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a horizontal section through the cam casing at the meter of Fig. 3, taken along the line i'I-l'l of Fig. 19.

Fig. 18 is a diagram of the gear train for operating the cams of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a section taken along the line l9-l9 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 20 shows the developed periphery of the cams of Fig. 17, with the phases indicated thereon and a conventional representation of the cam operated levers and valve for controlling the pressure tubes of the softening apparatus of Fig. 3, said apparatus having only one softening tank.

Fig. 21 shows the 1 developed periphery of an additional set of cams and the other conventional representations as in Fig. 20, said additional set of cams being required in the cam basing where two softening tanks are operated as in Fig. 2. Figs. 20 and 21 are shown in the properphase relation with each other for the operationof said two softening tanks.

Fig. 22 is a section-througha group of the balance or pressure valves for controlling the operation of the softening apparatus of Fig. 3, the connecting piping being shown in elevation.

Fig. 23 is an end elevation of the valves and piping of Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a partial section and elevation of the pressure regulating device for controlling the pressure on the softening apparatus.

Fig. 25 is a partial elevation and vertical section of the lower part of the salt dosing device taken along the line 25-25 of Fig. 26.

Fig. 26 is an end elevation of the lower part of the salt dosing device.

Fig. 27 is a fragmental elevation of the salt dosing device taken along the line 21-41 of Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is an elevation ofa water softening apparatus operated by a tip meter, said apparatus having a boosted backwash system, a portion of the brine tank being broken away to show the float and valve, and a portion of one of the softeners being broken away to show the zeolite trap.

Fig. 29 is a diagrammatic representation of the boosted backwash system for the apparatus of Fig. 28. v

Fig. 30 is a diagram of the pressure tubes and valves for the softening apparatus of Fig. 28.

Fig. 31 is a top plan view of the casing for the nest of balance valves for controlling the operation of the softening apparatus of Fig. 28, one screw plug and a portion of a pressure tube c'on nected thereto being shown.

Fig. 32 is a vertical section taken along the line 3232 of Fig. 31, only two of the valve plungers being shown.

Fig. 33 is a top plan view ofthe bottom casting of the nest of balance valves for the softening apparatus of Fig. 28. v

Fig. 34 is a side elevation partially in section of the tip meter of Fig. 28.

Fig. 35 is a partial end elevation of said tip meter.

Fig. 36 is'a diagrammatic elevation of a softening apparatus having a tip meter operating a valve for directly controlling the flow through the pipes of the apparatus.

Fig. 3'7 is an elevation of the ratchet device for operating the valve controlling the opening of the pressure tube system for the softener apparatus 7 of Fig. 28 and is also suitable for operating the valve shown in Fig. 38..

Fig. 38 is a horizontal section of the valve for controlling the flow through the pipes of the softening apparatus of Fig. 36. The ratchet mechanism for turning the valve is'also shown attached to the valve stem. I

Figs 39A, 39B, 39C, 39D and 39E are sections, respectively, taken along similarly marked lines of Fig. 38, and

Fig. 40 is a section through the choke or regulating valve from the brine tank for the softening apparatus of Fig. 28 and of Fig. 36.

My hydraulic means comprises balance valves, which open and close certain of the pipes leading to and from the softener, such valves being typified by valves I04, I29 and I35 Figs. 3, 4, 22 and 24. Each of said valves has I an upper chamber I which has an annular shoulder 9 at its lower end encompassing a piston 4. There is a slight clearance between piston 4 and shoulder 9. A groove 203 is provided in piston 4, resulting in a, localized enlargement of said clearance opposite said groove. short of the bottom of piston 4. The bottom of piston 4 is provided with a gasket (Fig. 24) held in place by ring 236 of spider guide 6. The

prongs of guide 6 are free to ride up and down in the opening I2 (Fig. 22) in the bottom of the valve. When the valve is in closed position, ring' 236 fills opening I2 and is assisted by gasket 5'in sealing said hole. The chamber I of each valve, is provided with a port such as that shown at 8 .for valve I29. In the case of valve I23, the port 8 is connected by a small diameter pressure tube I28, Fig. 4, as will be explained hereinafter, with valvemechanism at the meter I6, Fig. 3, said valve mechanism opening and closing the end of the pressure tube at the meter in accordancewith predetermined amounts of flow of water through the meter. In valve I04, Fig. 24, there is a port 231, whose opening and closing is controlled by a commercial pressure regulator I02 located on the small diameter tube leading from said port for a purpose to be explained later.

Port 231 in valve I04 corresponds to port 8 in valve I29. 4

With the tube from port 8 opened, piston 4 is in the position shown for it in valve I35, that is the valve is open and water may how out through opening I2. When the tube from port 8 is closed, piston 4 assumes the position shown for it in valve I23, closing off opening I2 so that no water from feed pipe II may pass through it. With the tube from port 8 closed,.the water in pipeI I communicates with chamber 1 through the clearance between shoulder 3 and piston 4 and through groove 203. Thus the full pressure of the water in pipe II will develop upon the top of piston 4, said piston will move down against its seat about opening I2 and seal said opening with the aid of gasket 5. Now if the tube leading from port 8 is opened, the pressure in chamber I will fall practically to zero, as the capacity for the discharge of water through port 8 and the pressure tube leading from it is designed to be much greater than that provided by the clearance between shoulder 9 and piston 4 and through groove 203. As soon as the pressure in chamber] falls sufliciently below that in pipe II, piston 4 will rise opening the valve, due to the fact that the area of piston 4 is greater than that of opening I2. With piston 4 in its uppermost position groove 203 is practically cut off (see valve I35) from the water in pipe II because said It is to be-noted that groove 2,03 stops groove doesnot reach the bottom of piston 4. In this position, that is with the valve open, there is only the small leakage of water through the annular clearance between shoulder 9 and piston 4. 'Now if the tube leading from port 8 is closed again, the pressure in chamber I will rise owing to the leakage through said annular clearance. As soon as piston 4 drops a little, the leakage is suddenly increased as groove 203 comes into play, causing a rise in pressure in chamber I at a quicker rate than before, eifecting thereby a faster closing of the valve. There is thus accomplished, a fairly rapid closing of the valve, with but only a' small leakage of water out through port 8 when the valve is open.

Other types of valves may be constructed by those skilled in the art using my method for balancing and unbalancing the pressure on the moving part of the valve in accordance with the various phases of operation predetermined for the softenen- By the remote control of a small proportion of the main flow of water throughthe apparatus, I control the main flow.

- One complete cycle of operations for one softener is composed of four phases:

1. Softening: An amount of water is passed through the zeolite of the softener tank and is softened.

2. Backwashing: The zeolite bed is washed by turning water into the lower strainer system and causing it to flow upwardly through the zeolite bed and out to waste.

3. Regeneration: A quantity of salt brine or other revivifying material is brought into contact with the zeolite.

4. Rinse: The salt brine is washed out of the softener a certain proportion of it being saved or reclaimed.

In installations for handling a large flow of water, a meter I6 of the type shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is used. In this type of meter, indicating pointers, such 'as shown at 239, Fig. 19, are rotated from a shaft 240 whose rotation is in pro- .portion to the'amount of water flowing through and brine pit 42. Mounted above brine pit 42 is a salt measuring device IOI for supplying the proper amount of salt or other regenerating substance for the brine solution, said device being controlled in accordance with the flow of brine out of brine pit 42. The opening and closing of the valves is controlled by a system of small tubes, which I call pressure tubes, comprising such tubes as tubes I28, I34, I4I, I50, Fig. 4, leading from a control valve at the meter and from float valves in the.brine pit 42,

The valve control at the meter is shown in detail in Figs. 17 to 21 inclusive. Meter l6 difiers from the usual meter in that the register and register cover of the latter is removed and replaced by aspecial casing I4 in which is mounted said valve control. Shaft I1 is provided with a fork at its lower, end fitting through holes in original gear I8 of the meter. Gear I8 is fixed to meter shaft 240. shaft "is in axial alignment wi shaft 240 and is in forked engagement with gear I8. Gear I9 is fixed to the upper end of shaft II. Gear I9 meshes with gear 28 which is fixed to shaft 24I, said latter shaft operating the usual gear train 242 for a meter register. Register dial 2| is fastened, by means of posts 294, to the top of casing I4, with indicating pointers 239. Gear I8 meshes with gear II3 fixed to the bottom of a short shaft to the upper end of which is fixed gear I I2, which in turn meshes with gear 31 carrying pinion II4. Pinion II4 engages gear 26 which is loose on cam shaft 22. Disk cams 23 and 24 are fixed to cam shaft 22 by screws 25. Upon the top of gear 26 is formed ratchet 28. Pawls 21, which are pivotally mounted on the hub of cam 23, engage ratchet 28 so that the rota tion of gear 26 which is counterclockwise, causes cams 23 and 24 to move likewise-in this direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 17. A ratchet 29 is fixed to cam shaft 22 near its upper-end. Handle 38 is loosely mounted on cam shaft 22 just, below ratchet 29. A pawl 3| is, pivotally mounted on handle 30 and pressed by spring 32 into engagement with ratchet 29. The train of gears beginning with gear I8 andendingwith gear 26 is so proportioned that cams. 23 and 24 are turned one revolution for one complete cycle of operations of the softener. A valve I5 is mounted upon casing I4, said valve having a rotatable plug 243 mounted therein. Figs. 15, 16 and 20. Plug 243 is provided with a passage 245 opening to atmosphere at the center of its bottom. Arms 33 and 34 are loosely mounted. on stem 244 of plug 243. A substantially triangular shaped lug 40-is provided on plug 243, said lug being located between arms 33 and 34. The outer ends of arms 33 and 34 are provided with flanged rollers 35, the roller for arm 33 engaging the periphery of cam 24, while the roller for arm 34 engages the periphery of cam 23. The tension of spring 36 keeps rollers 35 against the peripheries of their respective cams. Said cams are so shaped and set with respect to each other, that when arm 33 is allowed by cam 2.4 to move inward and press against lug 40, arm 34 is caused to be moved outward away from lug by cam 23 to allow rotation of said lug and the plug 243, by the motion inward of arm 33. The reverse is true when cam 23 allows arm 34 to move inward.

By providing ratchets 28 and 29 the cycle of operations may be advanced manually as desired. Thus if handle 30, which projects through a slot provided in casing I4, is moved counterclockwise, Fig. 1'7, the cams are advanced in the cycle without interfering with the normal operation of meter I6 and the registering of pointers 239.

The casing of valve I5, Figs. 15, 16 and 20, is provided with three ports connecting with small diameter tubing I28, -I4I and I34 respectively. By rotating plug 243 so as to set passage 245 opposite any of these ports, water may be discharged at any time from any one of tubes (pressure tubes) I28, I4I anrLI34. As noted above, the rotation of plug 243 is controlled by arms 33 and 34 which in turn are controlled by earns 23 and 24. All changes in-the position of passage 245 will be made quickly as spring 36 will snap arms 33 and 34 into abrupt notches provided in said cams. The action of said cams in regulating the position of passage 245 will be better understood by referring to Fig. 20, in which. is shownthe developed periphery of cams 23 and 24. At the beginning of the softening operation arm 33 was well up in notch 246 with arm 34 as shown. This set passage 245 opposite the port for tubing I28.

Succeeding rotation of cams 23 and 24, which is equivalent to moving the developed peripheries shown in Fig. 21 to the left, gradually swings arm 33 away from lug 40, while arm 34 remains in contact with said lug. The softening phase continues until the roller of arm 34 snaps suddenly into notch 241, moving lug 40 and thereby rotating passage 245 opposite the port for tube I34 initiating the backwash phase. Arm 33 in the meantime has been swung away from lug 40. The backwash phase continues, arm 34 being moved away from lug 49 and arm 33 being stationary until it snaps into notch 248 turning lug 40 so as to bring passage 245 opposite the port for tube I. As will be explained later on, with only tube I4I'open, the flow of water through the meter is almost completely stopped and with it the rotation of cams 23 and 24. Regeneration now Y take place, the brine in pit 42 being sent by injector 12, Fig. 3, through pipe I3 into the top of softener tank 3. When pit 42 has been emptied of its brine, certain float valves operate in said pit, as will be explained, to operate valves for permitting the flow of water again through meter I6. This flow is used. to reclaim the brine and rinse the zeolite in tank 3. Water flowing through the meter, sets the cams to rotating again, causing arm 34 to be turned away from lug 49, Fig. 20, while arm 33 is stationary until it reaches and snaps into notch 246 again which moves lug 46 to bring passage 245 opposite the port for tube I29 starting the softening phase 'again. The operation of the various valves controlled by the pressure tubes toefiect the several phases will be explained later.

In Fig. 22, balance or main valve I35 is shown provided with a petcock I63. All the other balance valves, while not shown, may be similarly provided. By opening and closing said petcocks the pressure in chamber I of each valve may be controlled. With pressure tubes I28, I34 and I M closed off at meter I6 by turning plug 243 manually to bring passage 245 out of register with the ports of said pressure tubes, said valves may be manually operated affording a manual control for the operation of the softener.

As noted above, during regeneration there is but little water passing through the meter. The meter cams 23 and 24, therefore, have insuflicient rotation to operate the valves. Another form of control is required. This control is effected by the use of float valves operated by the rise and fall of the brine level in the brine tank or pit.

Float chamber 4|, Fig. I is located in brine pit 42, Fig. 3. With the type of softener shown in Fig. 2, said chamber is located in brine tank 43. Float 44 slides on rod 45 which is held in vertical position by guides 46 and 41. The movement of float 44 along rod 45 is limited by stops 48 and 49 fixedly mounted on said rod. Mounted on thewall of float chamber M is a valve 52 having a rotatable plug 249, Figs. '7 to 10. Valve 52 is used on the type of softener shown in Fig. 2. Loosely mounted on stem 250 of plug 249 is trip arm 50, the other end of said arm being looped over rod 45 between stops 49 and 5|. When float 44 rises and raises stop'49, arm is raised with it, spring 254 snapping said arm up to uppermost position when the arm has passed dead center. Arm 58 striking against lug 253 on plug 249 turns said plug to the position shown in Fig. 10. When the brine tank is emptied, float 44 presses down on stop 46, causing arm 50 to be moved down by stop 5|, until spring 254 snaps it over dead center, causing said arm to strike from the position shown.

Float chamber 4| is provided with acheck valve 54' for the escapeoi' brine when the brine tank is emptying and a port 55, whose area is adjustable for the entrance of brine when the tank is filling.

When a brine pit 42, Fig. 3, is used, a valve 52 is replaced by a valve 53, Figs. 11 and 12. A

difierent number and arrangement of ports is used for valve 53 than for valve 52 as will become clear hereinafter.

A bin for dry storage of salt with hydraulically operated mechanism for measuring the salt dosage to'be applied to the brine tank is shown at llll mounted above said tank in Figs. 2 and 3. A quantity of salt I88, Fig. 25, is provided in bin ii. The opening at the bottom of portion 255 of bin II is controlled by paddles t1 fixedly mounted on shaft 88, Figs. 25, 26 and 27. On the outer end of shaft 88 is mounted ratchet wheel 88. A pivotally mounted pawl 85 has an upper branch and a lower branch, the latter when in its lower position being adapted to engage the teeth 18 of ratchet wheel 88. A cylinder 58 is mounted adjacent to ratchet wheel 88. Leading fr'om the bottom of cylinder 58 is tube 58 which connects with one side of valve 52 of the softener shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and with valve 53 of the softener shown in Figs. 3 and 4. See also Figs. '7 to 12. On the opposite side of valves 52 and 53, tube 58 connects with the main water supply (not shown) When the brine tank is empty the passage through plug 248 of valve 52 i in alignment with 'the ends of tube 58, allowing water under pressure to enter the bottom of cylinder 58. So also with valve 53, .as shown in Fig. 12. Now when the brine tank is filled, plug 248 is turned to cut of! tube 88 from the feed side,

the right side as shown in Fig. 10. Tube 58, leading from cylinder '58, enters the left side of valve 52 and water may flow from cylinder 58 through the passage in plug 248 and out drain hole 258. The same construction, not shown, is provided for'valve 53.

When the brine tank is empty, water under pressure enters cylinder 58 through tube 58, raising plunger 80 and stem '8I against spring 82 pushing plate 83 and plate 84 which is hinged to it up against the under side of the upper branch of pawl 85. This releases the lower branch of pawl: 85 from contact with tooth 18,

allowing wheel 88 to turn in the direction-of the arrow, Fig. 27, said turning being due to the weight ofg the salt I88 on paddles 81. The salt released from paddles 81 drops into salt dissolving box 68, Figs. 2 and 3 Box 58 is provided with a screened floor I88 and is at least of 'suflicient size to hold one measured discharge of salt from the salt' measuring device I Ill. The pressure on spring 82 is released, when pawl 85 is disngagerf from tooth 18, the upper branch of said pawl slipping-,cff the top of plate 84. When this occurs plates 83 and" 84 fly up considerably above the upper branch of pawl 85, allowing said pawl to fall back to have its lower branch engage'tooth '10 at the end atone-quarter 01 a revolution of wheel 88. When the brine tank is fllled-aga drained through drain hole 258. This allows plunger 88 total]. and with it plates 83 and 84,

' said latter plate passing the upper'branch of pa'wl 85;;as it is hinged to plate .83 by hinge 1|.

"Gonstructio'riis provided to reclaim the bridle remaining in the softener after regeneration, that is a considerable part of the brlnr: washed out by the rinsing operation.

During regenerationthere is-an outward flow from nozzle 18 at first of water from thevoids of the zeolite, Fig. 3. There is noadvantage in reclaiming this, so a baille plate 11, which is adiustably locatable, .is set so that the flow from nozzle 18 at this time, which is not great, does not pass over it, but flows to waste through pipe 18.- Then there is aslow flow of diluted brine from pipe I48, Fig. 3, into p'it 42. While this flow continues there is again a flow from nozzle 18, this time as rinsing takes place. The new and 88, inverted vertical check valve 88, choke valve'88 and down" pipe M to waste. The rate of regeneration is controlled by the setting of choke valve 88. In rinsing, the discharge is much greater causing the'ilap of inverted check valve 88 to rise against gravity and shut off the flow through waste pipe 8i, so that the brine passes up pipe 84 and down pipe 85. When said tank is full, further flow passes up pipe 88 and down pipe 81 to waste without substantially disturbing the reclaimed brine in said tank.

The operation of the softener of Fig. 3 is as ,iollows: With softener tank 3 nearing the end of the softening phase, control valve I5 at meter I8 is. set to open pressure tube I28; Fig. 4. With tube I28 open, valves I28 and I38 are open, water passing from supply pipe 238'through meter I8, pipe I I, valve I28, pipe I3I to top of softener tank 3; down through zeolite bed out through pipe I32, valve I38, check valve I40 and pipe I33 to service. This continues until cams 23 and-24 at the meter reach the backwash stage, when valve I5 is turned to open tube I34and close tube I28. This closes valves I28 and I30 and opens valves I35, I38 and I31. The opening of valve I38 causes water to pass from the meter through pipe I32 into the bottom of softener tank 3, up through the zeolite bed out through pipe I3I, valve I35, pipe I38 to waste. The opening of valve I31 allows through pipe I38 to service pipe I33, check valve I48 preventing entrance of hard water from pipe I38 into the softener. The by-pass is for the purpose of having water available in case of fire or other emergency. After a predetermined amount to open. Valve I31 will remain open as it is con-- nected to tube I by tube I43. In this connection it isto be noted that'check valve 251 on tube I34 prevents the reduction of pressure in tube I from traveling back along tube I34and thus opening valves I38 and I35. There are a number of other check valves shown similarly to check valve '251 in Fig. 4 on the pressure tubes for a purpose similar toy that of said valve. Pipe 15 is connected to the hard water supply. said connection not being shown. The opening of valve 18 allows hard water to by-pass meter I8 and the softener high pressure water from pipe 15 to pass through injector 12, raising the brine from pit 42 through tank 3, driving fresh water out the bottom through pipe I32, valve I42, choke valve valve 99, pipes I44 and I45, and nozzle 18. Since the amount of the discharge from riomle 19 is small, it does not pass over baiiie 11, but goes out pipe 19 to waste. When brine pit 42 is empty, float chamber 4.I is also empty, and float 44, Figs. 7, i1 and 12 causes arm 59 to trip down turning valve 53 so that tube I46 is closed and tube I41 and pipe 59 are'iopen. The opening of pipe 59, as explained hereinbefore, operates the salt measuring device I9 I, so that a quantity of salt is dropped into salt dissolving box 59. The opening of tube I41 causes valves I29 and I48 to open. The closing of tube I45 by valve 53 when brine pit 42 is empty, closes valves 15 and I421. When brine pit 42 is empty, float 51 closes valve 55 on tube 292. This will prevent the opening of valve I42 through relief of pressure in tubes I59, 292 and I it being remembered that during regeneration and rinse, tube I is opened at the meter. Water passes through valve I29 and pipe I3I to top of softener forcing the brine now in the top of tank 3 down through the zeolite bed for the slow regeneration of the zeolite, out through pipe I32, valves I48 and. choke 98, pipe I49 into pit 42. The flow through pipe I49 is greatly retarded by .choke valve 98 in order to give the brine timeto react with the zeolite for the proper regeneration of same. 'When pit 42 is filled to a certain elevation float 51 rises opening valve 56, relieving thereby the pressure in tube I59 which opens valve I42. The remaining brine and rinse water in tank 3 at this time continues to pass out pipe I49 and now in addition through valve I42, pipes I44 and I45, nozzle 18, over bame 11 to pit. This continues until pit 42 is full, at which time the flow causes backing upover baflle 11 and out through waste pipe 19. When this takes place any further flow from nozzle 18 is prevented by baflle 89 from disturbing the brine in pit 42. At the end of the rinsing phase just noted, the cams at the meter reach the softening phase, turning valve I5 to open tube I28 and close off tube I4I, tube I34 remaining closed. This opens valve I39, valve I29 having been already opened by valve 53 through tube I41, and closes valves I21 and I42. Some short time after pit 42 is full, water coming through port 55 will fill float chamber 9i, causing float 44 to rise andtrip valve 53, opening tube I45 and closing tubes I41 and 59. The opening of tube I46 will not open valve 15 because tube I4I to which it connects is closed at meter I5. With tube 59 closed, the water drains from the cylinder 58, through waste port 255, Fig. 10, setting plate 84, Fig. 27, in position to operate salt measuring device I9I when brine pit 42 empties again. The closing of tube I91 closes valve I48 and hence the flow through pipe I49. All balance valves are now closed except valves I29 and I39, and the softening phase continues until the cams 23 and 24 at meter I5 operate valve I5 for the backwash phase. Port 55 is provided in the upper part of float chamber 4i, so that valve 53 closes pressure tube I41 and valve I48, thereby stopping the flow through pipe I49, some time after the brine pit 42 is filled. This is to allow a little extra rinsing to remove every trace of brine from the water in tank 3, before the softening phase starts again. Pressure tubes I29, I34an'd I4I are enclosed in pipe I3, Fig. 3.

The softener shown in Fig. 2 differs from that shown in Fig. 3 in that the former is provided with two softening tanks for a continuous supply of soft water, while the latter has only one softening tank giving an intermittent supply of soft water. Under certain conditions, where :say a supply of soft water is required only during the daytime, the intermittent type of Fig. 3 is suflicient, but where a continuous supply is necessary the type of Fig. 2 is required, one softener tank supplying soft water, while the other tank is going through the phases of backwashing, regeneration and rinsing.

Where two softener tanks are to be operated, the meter control of Figs. 17 and 19 is modified by adding another set of cams 23 and 24 on shaft 22, lengthening said shaft to accommodate them and enlarging casing I4 correspondingly. Another set of levers 33 and 34 and another valve I5 is used corresponding to the added oams. The additions are not.shown in Figs. 17 and 19 as the modifications can be readily understood by those skilled in the art. However, Fig. 21 shows these additions diagrammatically. The added cams 23 and 24 are set on shaft 22 in the phase relation with the original set ofcams as shown by the relationship of Fig. 20 to Fig. 21. It is to be noted that the softening phase for one tank somewhat overlaps the softening phase for the other tank, so that one softener tank does not quit softening before the other begins softening, thereby avoiding any interruption in the service.

The operation of the softener shown in Fig. 2 is as follows: Assume that softener tank 2 has just begun its softening phase and that softener tank I is nearing the end of its softening phase. The operation will be described for softener tank I,but it will be understood a similaroperation will take place for softener tank 2 but in the phase relation of Figs. 20 to 21. The meter will turn cams for softener I then to backwash position shutting ofl tube I5I, Fig. 1, and the equivalent of tube I28, Fig. 20, and at the same time opening tube I52, the equivalent of tube I34, Fig. 20,

.thereby closing valves I53 and I54, and opening valves I55 and I55, causing water to pass from meter I 6 through pipe 259, valve I55, pipe leading to bottom of softener I up through zeolite bed 92, out pipe I51, valve I55, pipe I54 to waste. The meter then advances the cams to the regeneration and rinse stage for softener I shutting ofi tube I52, and opening tube I58, the equivalent of tube ,I4I, thereby closing valves I55 and I55 and opening valves 82 and Brine from tank 43 then flows down pipe 8|, valve 92, check valve 93, distributor 84, through zeolite bed 92, out pipe 95, valve 86, pipes 81 and 88, inverted vertical check valve- 99, choke valve 99 and pipe 9| to waste. The water in the tank above the distributor 94 is not disturbed as the outlet from tank I is below, the brine passing directly through the zeolite. The water above the zeolite is afterwards used for rinsing.

It is usually desirable to start regenerating as soon as possible after backwashing. For this reason, the open top of pipe BI is at a point below the brine surface, when tank 43 is full. The distance below is such that the volume of brine above pipe 8! is just suflicient to flll the voids in zeolite bed 92. Then in the beginning of regeneration, the brine will pass quickly into the softener through top of pipe 8|, but when this level is reached, it passes slowly through choke valve 93 until tank 43 is empty.

When brine tank 43 is emptied, floatchamber 4| also empties, and float 44, Fig. '1, turns valve 52 to allow the water in tube59 to operate the salt measuring device I9I, dropping salt into box 89. When valve 52 is turned-as just described, it

opens up tube I58, thereby causing valve I53 to open, allowing hard water to enter the top of softener tank I by .way of pipe I51. During regeneration, only a small flow passes through tank I, out pipe 85, through valve 88,pipe 81, up pipe 88, inverted check valve 88, choke valve 88 to waste pipe 9 I a flow which is not suilicient to shut ofi inverted check valve 88. When however tank 43 has emptied, operating valve 52- to open tube I58 and thereby valve I53, a large volume of water for the rinsing enters tank I, through pipe I51, leaving through pipe 85, valve 86, pipe 81, up pipe 88 with sufiicient pressure to close inverted check valve 88 and therefore is forced to continue its flow up pipe 84 and out pipe 85 into brine tank 43,

thus reclaiming the brine. Tank 43 continues to.

fill until the excess flows into the open top of pipe 91 down to waste. During rinsing the pressure in tank I holds check valve 85 closed.

After rinsing, cams 23 and 24 at the meter advance to the softening position/shutting off tube I58 and opening tube I5I, causing valves 82 and 86 to close and valve I54 to open, valve I53 remaining open being kept in open position by tube I59 which is kept open by valve 52' for the time being. At the beginning of the softening phase for softener tank I, softener tank 2 is nearing .the end of the softening phase. A short time before softener'tank 2 goes into backwash phase, the float chamber 41 fills with brine through port 55, which causes iiloat- 44 to operate valve 52 to drain cylinder 58 'of the salt measuring device,

the center or false compartment 268, which plays no direct part in the operation of the meter, being Figs. 26 and 27, and to close tube I58, so that both valves I53 are now solely under the control of the pressure tubes from the meter. I

The type of softener shown in Fig. 28, is especially suitable for small installations, where the cost of the meter drive comprising a meter I6,

1 i the tipping of meter 38 comes from nozzle I26 as will be explained hereinafter.

Meter 38 is divided into three compartments,

drained throughltwo ports, one of which is shown in the near wall of said meter atv 38. The other of said ports, which is not shown, is in the far wall. Compartment I61, when nearly full causes the meter to tip to the left, Fig. 34,- engaging" and turning'ratchet wheel I66,Fig. 37, through pawl 26I link 268 and long rod 268.

Long rod 268, which is pivotally connected at its lower end to link 268, extends down from meter 38. The other end of link 268 is loosely mounted on the stem 262 of plug 263 of valve I65, Figs. 13 and 3'7. Link 268 carries pawl 26-I pivotally mounted upon it, the free end of said pawl engaging the teeth of ratchet wheel I66. Ratchet wheel I66 is fastened by screw 288 to the stem 262 of plug 268 of valve I65. The top of meter 38 has a cover plate I18 extending almost all the way over-compartment I61 and another cover plate I16 extending similarly over compartment I88.

After the meter has been tipped to-the left, asnoted above, the flow from nozzle I26 will fill compartment I68. when thelatter compartment is nearly'full, it causes the meterto tip back to the right, setting pawl 26I in position for engaging the .next tooth ofratchet wheel I68. Com-- partment. I 61 was drained through port I68 when the meter was tipped to the left. Another port I69 drains compartment I68 when the meter is in the position shown in Fig. 34. The provision of .in. said cover plates I18 is an improvement over old forms of tipping meters, in that chambers I61 and J68 carry nearly all the water in them till near the end of their strokes. This results in giving the meter 'large torque over a long arc.

Valve I65 is ameans of controlling the pressure in the system of pressure tubes connecting with the main or balance valves located in casing I8I, Fig.28, the system of tubes being shown diagrammatically in Fig. 30. Valve plug 263 is provided with a series of depressions and passages as seen in Figs. 13, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and 14E for providing connections between pressure tubesI'II to I18 inclusive and central escape port 264. Tubes I1I, I12, I13 and I14 control the balance valves. as will be explained, for the opshown in Fig. 14D, while the left hand branches are locatedas shown in Fig. 146. There are six teeth on ratchet wheel I66, so that one tip to the left and then to the right of meter 38, causes one-sixth of a revolution of valve plug 263 counterclockwise as seen in Figs. 14A to 14E inclusive. This will close the tubes I14, I16, left.

hand branch of tube I11 and right hand branch of tube I12 and will'open tubes I13 and I18.

Float valve I82 in tank I84, Fig. 28, is operated by float I83 which is controlled by the rise and fall of the brine insaid tank. It is of a. common type and. is open whenfloat I83 is down and closed when said float is up. Water under pressure 'from the mains enters pipe I85 passing through valve I82, and pipe 58, operating the salt dosing I6I, when float I83 is down. At the same time water passes through choke valve I88, pipe I81 and nozzle I26 to meter 38.

The balance or main valves controlling the operation' of the softener shown in Fig. 28 are located' in a single casing I8I, Figs. 31, 32 and 33.; In this way they diifer from balance valves I28, I38, I35 and I36 for the softener shown in Fig. 3, which latter are in separate units vconnested by piping. They also differ'in details of construction, but operate on substantially the same principle. .The main valves for the sof-' tener, illustrated in Fig. 28, lend themselves readily to be concentrated in a single casing or valve block I8I because the amount of water to be is small. On the other hand, a large flow of water is. designed to pass through .the-

softenersillustrated .iir 2 and '3, say an amount delivered from a 6 inch feed line. The valves in the latter case would be too bulky economically to locate in a single casing. Casing] I8I comprises twolparts, an upper part I88 and shown at I83. The pressure chambers which are in upper part I88 and the valve seats, are drilled chambers 1 in 22.- The 'upper portion. of

, said chambers corresponding'to each chamber is tapped and provided with {a screw plugfone of which-isshdwn t m,- the I screw plugs for the other chambers being. omitsure tube, such a tube being shown at I11. These pressure tubes, tubes "I to I19 inclus'ive, lead to valve I66 as shown in Figs. 13 and- 30, said tubes not being shown in Fig. 28. In Fig. 32 only the plungers or pistons for valves I91 and I95 are shown, the other plungers in the other valves being omitted for simplicity. The plunger for valve I91 is shown in section, and that for valve I95 is shown in elevation. Each plunger comprises a solid upper portion. 265, and a hollow lower portion 266 provided with openings 261. When the pressure is relieved in the pressure tube, such as tube I11, the pressure in the pressure chamber above upper portion 266 is reduced to zero or nearly so, as in chamber 1 of valve I29, Fig. 22. The plunger then rises and the water passes through holes 261 in the hollow lower portion 266 of the plunger. When the pressure tube is closed, the pressure builds up in the chamber above portion 266, by the leakage between said portion and the walls of the chamber, causing said plunger to move down against its seat, closing oi! the flow through the valve. A groove such as that shown at 2935 is provided in each of the pressure chambers of the main valves, although only the one for valve 222 is shown in Fig. 32. Groove 299 is provided in order that the pressure will build up rapidly above the plunger, by leakage through said in valves I91 and I95 are shown already part of the way down in a position to clear the'top of their corresponding grooves 293, said groovesnot being shown in said valves for clearness. As this small leakage continues, plunger 265 moves down slowly until it clears the top of groove 293, when there occurs a more rapid increase in leakage through said groove, effecting thereby a quicker seating of said plunger on its seat and closing thevalve thereby.

Valves G95, I91,,222, 229 and 226 control the operations relating to softener tank I16, while valves 269, 2I6, 2I2, 216, and 2I6 control the operations relating to softener tank 866.

Assuming the softener tank E19 as being near the end of its softening phase and the softener tank I66 in the rinsing stage, the control valve I65 then is in the position shown in Figs. 13, 14A to 14E. Tubes I16 and H11 are open at valve I65, so that valves I 65 and W1, which are respectively connected to said tubes, are open. Pipe I96 is the feed pipe supplying the hardl water to the system. said pipe being connected to the casing I6I oppositevalve 269, Fig.'3l. It is to be noted that valves 269, I91, 226, and 2116 are connected by openings I66 so that even" if the plunger 265 of any 01 these valves is down on its seat, water will pass from. feed pipe 866 into the other valves. This is so because the bottoms of all plungers 265 are beveled, so that there is always a space around each plunger where water can pass into the next valve through an opening if provided, which in the particular case noted above, is opening 699 which leads from this space. As-noted, valves i95 and H31 b in Open, said valves relating to softener 819, feed water flows from pipe I96, through the space around plunger 265 of valve 269, through opening I99 into valve I91, down into duct 266 under said valve, up through opening 26I into the space around plunger 266 of valve 222 which .is closed, and out through pipe 262, up through pipe 262 into the top of softener I19 down through the zeolite bed out pipe 264, pipe I2I, into duct 266 up through opening 266 into valve I95, which is open, down to duct 261 and out pipe 269 to service. There is no flow from pipe 264 into pipe I26 because of check valve H5.

At the same time the above softening operation is taking place for softener I19, the brine in softener I86 is being reclaimed and the zeolite rinsed. Tubes I14 and I12 are open, Figs. 14A and 14D, so that valves 2I6 and 269 are open, Fig. 30. Hard water from pipe I96 passes through valve 269 down into duct 2! I, 'up through opening 26I into the space around the plunger of valve 2I2 and out pipe 2I9 to the top .zeollte trap I69,-whose operation will be explained later. A zeolite trap I69, not shown, is also connected to pipe 262. While said trap is only shown for the softener of Fig. 28, it is to be understood it can be used as well with the softeners of Figs. 2 and 3.

Pipe 2 connects with duct 2'I5, the flow from said pipe passing from said duct up through opening 266, around the plunger of valve 2I6, through opening 2I1 into valve 2I6, and as said valve is open, down into duct 2I6 out pipe 2i9, pipe 226 into brine tank I64. The rush of water up pipe 2I9 closes inverted check valve 23I, so that no water passes set valve 262 and out pipe 283. Water passes out pipe 236 to waste only during regeneration. A small portion of the flow up through pipe 2 I 9, passes through hand set valve 22l and out nozzle I26 into tip meter 38. ,When brine tank I66 has filled sumcienty, float I63 has been raised to shut ofi valve M2 on pipe B66 which supplies hard water from the main feed line. When the zeolite in tank I66 is sufficiently rinsed, it is arranged that enough water has passed'through nozzle I26 into compartment 861 of meter 38 to tip said meter, turning valve I66 one-sixth of a revolution, that is shutting of! tubes I16, I16, and the right hand branch of tube I12, opening tubes I16,-I16 and the left hand branch of tube I12 causing tank I19 to enter the backwash phase and tank I66 to begin its softening phase as will now be explained.

Valves 2I6, 222, 226 and 266 are now open, all the rest are closed in casing IBI. Hard water in the softening phase for tank i66 enters pipe I96, passes through valve 269 to duct 2, through opening 26!, which connects duct 2 with the space about plunger 265 of valve 2I2, out pipe M6 to top of tank I66, down through the zeolite therein, out pipe 2I4 to duct 2I5, check valve 2" preventing any flow to pipe I26, through pening 266, which connects duct 2i5 with the space around plunger 265 of valve 2I6, through valve 2I6 to duct 261 and out pipe 266 to service.

In the backwashing phase for tank I19, hard water enters pipe I96, through opening G99, through the space around the plunger of valve 216, through opening I99 into valve 229, through valve 226 into duct 266, out pipe i2! and 264 to bottom of tank I19, up through the zeolite therein, out pipe 262 into valve 222 through this equivalent of pipe 94. Pipe 212 is the equivalent.

pipe 212, not much through pipe 213 and valve to pipe 226 and down the latter to waste. The flow from duct'224 into pipe 225 could branch off at the bottom of the latter to pass through pipe I 20 and check valve II5. For the present neglect pipe I20. A small portion of this waterpasses through set valve- 221 and nozzle I26 to operate meter 38. Control valve 221 is so set that when the backwashing has been completed,

enough water has entered meter 38 to cause same to tilt back and forth to turn valve I65 another one-sixth of a revolution. This opens tube I15 and closes tube I18, opening valve 228 and closing valves 222 and 223, thus stopping the backwashing of tank I19 and starting the regeneration phase of the same. Regeneration starts for tank I19 at this time by the emptying of tank I84 through pipe 212. The flow passes from pipe 212 through check valve 230 into tank I19, but it cannot pass check valve 213 into tank I80 at this time, because tank I80 is undergoing the softening'phase and the pressure in it keeps check valve 213 closed against any flow from pipe 212. As will'oe explained, the valvesin' casing I8I shut oi the flow from pipe 202, but permit it from pipe 204. The open position of valves 2I5 and 209 for'tank I80 is not changed at this time, so that the softening phase for the latter continues.

During the regeneration phase for tank I19, valve 228 is the only one open for said tank, brine from tank I84 passing down pipe 212, through check valve 230- into tank I19, through the zeolite, out pipe 204, through pipe I2I, duct 205, opening 205 through the space around the plunger of valve I95, opening 2" into valve 228, throughthe same into duct 2I8, .pipe 2I9, inverted check valve 23l, set valve 232 and pipe 233 to waste. Now as tank i84 empties, float I83 opens valve I82 allowing hard water under pressure from the feed line to pass through pipes I85 and 59 to salt dosing mechanism IN and also to passset valve I88 through nozzle I26 to operate meter 38 toturn valve I65 another onesixth of a revolution for the reclaiming and rinse phase for tank I19, and the softening phase for tank I80. When this phase is reached, the large volume of water passing up pipe 2I9 causes inverted check valve 23I to snap shut causing the brine and later the rinse water to continue up pipe 2I9 and down pipe 220 to tank I84, the surplus water (rinse water) going to waste through overflow pipe 234.

The same arrangement of pipes is to be used for tank I84 as -for tank 43, Fig. 2. Pipe 234 is the e'quivalent'oi pipe 91. Pipe 2I9is the 01 pipe 8I. The same-arrangement of pipes is t be usedintank I84 as shown for pipes 95, 96, 91'and 8| in tank 43. At the beginning of regeneration the brine flows mainly/through 235. The main flow is into the top of pipe 212, not shown, which is at the same elevation in tank I84 as the top'of pipe 8| is in tank 43. After'the' level of the brine falls below the top of pipe 212, tank I84 continues to empty through pipe' 213 and valve 235, the top of pipe-213 being at the bottom of tank I84.

As noted, when tank I84 empties, float I83 opens valve I82, allowing hard water, under practically the full pressure of the feed line from .the source of water supply, to pass up pipe I85.

Valve I88, however, is set to choke the flow so that but little water and little pressure pass through pipe I81, most of it being mama pipe 59 to operate the salt dosing mechanism I next phases for tank I80 and their action is similar to that described for tank I19. Valve M2 is similar in function to valve 222 for tank I19, except that the former controls the flow to tank I80. In a similar manner valve 210 corresponds in function to valve 223. I 4 1 The explanation just given for the operation of the softener of Fig. 28 is on the basis that pipe I 26 connecting the bottom of pipe 225 with pipe 204 isomitted. Check valve I I5 is also to be considered omitted together with part I22, pipe 204 being considered to run straight through. It is possible to backwash tanks I19 and I80, with the omis-' sions just noted, where the water supply is sufflcient to furnish enough water at enough pressure for adequate backwashing. Where the water supply. is inadequate for this purpose, proper backwashing is made possible byboosting the inadequate supply by the inclusion' of pipe I20, check valve I I5 and part I22 which is an injector. While the injector is the preferred form, a pump could be used instead. By the said inclusion, a

of going to waste, is used over and over again in the backwashing. This is accomplished as follows, the action being shown diagrammatically in Fig. 29:

Hard water entering through pipe I96, passes I22, sucking in water through check valve II5, ,-(not seen in Fig. 29 but shown in Fig. 28) from pipe I20 and pipe 225. As'will be remembered, the water from the backwashing runs to waste by passing up pipe 225, but the action of injector I22 is to divert some of the waste water back into pipe- I 20; After passing injector I 22, the flow enters pipe 204, passing up through tank I19, out pipe 202, through suitable valves in casing I8I to pipe 225, where part of the flow passes up said latter pipe, while the rest is drawn into backwash circulation through pipe I20 by the action of injector I22.

' The three hand controlled valves 221, 22I, and '235 control the four phases of both tanks I19 and I80. Valve 221 is set for the desired lengthv of backwash and valve 22I isset for the desired length of rinse. These two valves when once set need never be changed regardless of any change in the time of softening. Any change in the time of softening, however, is accomplished by regulating or choke valve 235. By decreasing the flow through-valve 235, and thereby increasing the time it takes tank I84 to empty, the length of the considerable part of the backwash water, instead done by the upward flow method well known to the art. With it a large velocity of backwash water may be used, and the zeolite may contain a considerable proportion of fine grains. It will be remembered that the finer the grain, the more active is the zeolite in softening the water. At the top cf the trap is a valve plate I23, connected by a rod I05 with a valve plunger I24, which when raised presses against valve seat I06. Pipe 2I3 connects with the trap through an opening located at the center of the bottom wall of said trap. Above said center opening is set a sleeve I almost reaching the top wall. Valve plate I23 when down closes an opening into a curved duct I01, said duct as it curves around with the side wall of the trap expands downwardly until it reaches the bottom wall of the trap. At the same time, said duct becomes narrower until it terminates in a narrow slit H9. Seat I06 is located at the bottom of chamber III which communicates with the space under duct I01 and outside of sleeve .I 25.

During softening water enters sleeve I25 from pipe 2|3, see also Fig. 28, and overflows the top of said sleeve, down into chamber III and out through the clearance I08 between valve plunger I24 and its seat I06. As the area of plunger I24 is greater than that of valve plate I23, both of them are in their lowest position as shown in Fig. 6 since thewater pressure is introduced into the inside of the trap through pipe 2| 3. In backwashing, however, there is a much greater. rush of water and it comes from the outside of the trap. As the area of plunger I24 is much larger than the area of valve plate I23, theformer is raised and held against seat I06 and water enters duct I01 through the opening under valve plate I23. In passing through duct I01 and out slit II9, the water is given a whirl, baflles H8 and I21 keeping the whirl out from sleeve I25. It is found that under these conditions zeolite particles carried by the backwash water separate out at chamber III, while the water itself passes over the top of sleeve I25 and out pipe 2 l3. When backwashing stops, valve plate I23, rod I05 and plunger I24 drop back to the position shown in Fig. 6, releasing the trapped zeolite.

Instead of using a valve controlled by pressure tubing as an intermediate step, the tip meter 38a, Figs. 36, 38, 39A, 39B, 39C, 39D and 39E'can be used to control a valve 280 which is similar to valve I65, Fig. 13, except that valve 280 controls.

the fiow through the pipes of the softener directly instead of using a nest of balance valves I8 I, and pressure tubes I1I, I12,- I13 etc. The softening apparatus of Fig. 36 is in general similar in action to that of Fig. 28.

Valve 280 is provided with caps 289 and 290. Valve plug 28I is rotatably mounted in the valve, its stem 262a projecting through a stufllng box nut 29I. On the .outer end of stem 282a, a ratchet wheel IBM is fixedly mounted by means of set screw 288a. A link 269a carrying a pawl 26Ia is loosely mounted on stem 262a and rotates valve plug 28I, in a manner similar to that shown for the corresponding mechanism in Fig. 28. Link 269a is rocked by long rod 268a in accordance with the tipping of tip meter 38a.

For the softening operation of tank I19a, har water flows from feed pipe I 96a, to valve 280, where as shown in Fig. 39A, it is sent through pipe 202a, tank I19a, pipe 204a, which runs behind pipe 2020 as viewed in Fig. 36, back to valve 280 and out through pipe 208a, Fig. 390, to service.

It is to be noted that pipes 202a, 204a. I88a, mt

and 2I4a are manifolded at valve 280 to connect to it at several points along its length as seen in Figs. 38, 39A to 39E inclusive.

While tank I18a is being softened, tank I80a is being rinsed, the hard water from'feed pipe I380. entering valve 280, Fig. 39A, and leaving through pipe 2I3a (as well as through pipe 202a) entering tank IBM and leaving it through pipe 2I4a, back to valve 280 at'Fig. 39E, up pipe'2l9a down pipe 220a to brine tank I840. It is to be noted that pipe 2| 40. runs behind pipe 2I3a, as

viewed in Fig. 36, on its way to valve-280.

Now tip meter 38a turns valve plug 28I, in the direction of the arrows, one-sixth of a revolution, as explained before in connection with Fig. 28, the flow through pipes and valves I81a, I88a, 22Ia, I26a being similar to those with the same number without the sufllx in Fig. 28.

Tank I190. is now in the backwash phase, hard water from pipe I861; entering valve 280, Fig. 39D and leaving same through pipe 204a, entering tank "811 at the bottom, leaving the tank through pipe 202a, returning to valve 280, Fig. 398, leaving said valve through pipe 225a and then flowing out pipe 228a to waste. At the same time tank IBM is in the softening phase. Hard water from pipe I96a enters valve 280, Fig. 39A, leaving through pipe 2I3a, entering tank IBM, and leaving said tank through pipe 2I4a, back to valve 280, Fig. 39C, out pipe 208a to service.

Tip meter 38a now turns valve plug 28I another one-sixth of a revolution, causing tank I130. to enter the regeneration phase, while tank I80a remains in the softening phase. Brine from tank I84a' passes out through pipe 214 choke valve 235a, pipe 2120, check valve 230a into tank I18a, out pipe 2040., to valve 280, Fig. 39E, pipe 2I9a, check valve 23Ia, and pipe 233a to waste. Pipe 2I9a leaves valve 280 from behind pipe I98a as viewed in Fig. 36.

As tip meter 38a continues to turn valve plug 28I, the tanks I19a and I800. pass through their succeeding phases, with the flow passing through the various pipes as described for the softening apparatus of Fig. 28. The softening apparatus of Fig. 36 differs from that of Fig. 28 in that no boosting of the backwash water is provided as explained in connection with Fig. 29.

Regulating or choke valves 235 and 235a. for the apparatus of Figs. 28 and 36, shown in detail in Fig. 40 are provided instead of an ordinary choke valve as shown at 93 in Fig. 2, because it has been found that by restricting the opening in an ordinary valve sufllciently to cause the emptying of the brine tank, such as tank I84 over a considerable time, the opening is so small that there is danger of stoppage due to foreign matter in the brine. I overcome this by providing a construction which effects an intermittent flow of brine through the opening, thus allowing of a much larger opening for the flow of brine than would otherwise be possible.

Brine from tank I84 of Fig. 28 passes out through pipe 213 and is discharged from nozzle 284, impinging upon cup 288, forcing the latter to the right against the tension of spring 283'. This causes gasket 281 to cover the opening in pipe 285 thus momentarily stopping the flow of brine. Spring 283 is adjusted by screw 282 so that when the flow is thus arrested by gasket 281, the tension in said spring is suilicient to move said gasket away from the opening in pipe 285, thus allowing a momentary flow again. action is repeated over and over again, thus alulator I02 opens the bypass, reducing the pres- 20.

this way the small pressure regulator I02 keeps lowing a succession of small quantities of brine to pass out through pipe 205.

In Fig. 24 is shown a pressure regulating valve I04 for controlling the pressure of the feed water on the softener tank and equipment to protect them against excessive pressures. Said valve can be located on the feed water line, say' pipe I06 of Figl 28 (not shown in Fig. 28).. A small commercial pressure regulator I02 with bypass piping and petcocks I03 connects the pressure chamber I with feed pipe I90. Valve I04 ,is similar to those shown in Fig. 22. Regulator I02 is set to the allowable pressure. Any increase above this pressure will cause regulator I02 to shut off the bypass between chamber I andpipe I06. This causes the pressure in chamber 1 to increase, throttling the flow through opening 236. Then as the pressure in pipe I86 decreases, pressure regsure in chamber I allowing plunger 4 to rise. In

the large valve I04 in balance.

The term tube as used in the claims is intended to be broad enough to include a duct or member having an opening or passage for flow therethrough.

1. In a water softening apparatus, a pair of containers, each for holding softening material, means for separately subjecting the material in one container from that in the other to different phases of flow including a softening phase, a

backwash phase, and a regeneration-rinse phase, said means including a piping system for con-' trolling the flow through the containers, a plurality of valves in accordance with their opening and shutting controlling the fiow through said system, a. plurality of pressure tubes leading from said valves, the opening and shutting of to phases of softening, regeneration and flushing,

means for separately subjecting the material in one container from that in the other to said phases including a piping system for controlling the flow through said apparatus, a plurality of valves in accordance with their opening and shutting controlling the flow connections through said system for the actuation of said means for effecting said phases, a pressure tube leading from each valve effecting the opening and closing of its valve in accordance respectively with whether the tube is open or closed, and mechanism for opening and closing said tubes in apredetermined order pursuant to the flow through the apparatus for the actuation of said means for effecting said phases in each container in a predetermined order, the softening phase occurring in one container substantially during the regeneration and flushing phases in the other.

3. In a water softener, a container for regenerating solution, a float chamber in said contain.- er, float I means in said chamber,- valve means controlling flow through the softener in accordance with the position of the float means, means near the bottom of said chamber to allow water to flow out of the chamber into the container but not to return, said chamber being open for the entrance of solution from the container near its upper" end, whereby the float in the chamber is not raised until after the container is filled sufficiently to have its solution overflow from holding water softening material, another con-' tainer for holding regenerating solution, the container for the solution extending higher than the top of the water softening materiaLpip means connecting said containers for gravity flow of the regenerating solution to the softening material, said pipe. means having two branches, one retardent to flow and the other ofl'ering freedom to flow, the branch offering freedom to flow having an inlet in the-container for the regenerating solution located a distance below where the top of the regenerating solution comes just before the regenerating phase, said distance being such that the volume of the solution in said latter container above the inlet is substantially equal to 0 6. In a water softening apparatus, a piping system-for the flow through-the apparatus, a member in said system having a plurality of chambers with inlet and outlet openings and passages between the chambers, a piston for each chamber adapted to reciprocate therein, each chamber with its piston constituting a valve, the

1 operating to allow the passage of liquid through its chamber when the pressure in the pressure tube from its chamber is relieved, and means for effecting the relief of pressure in said tubesin a predetermined sequence actuated by the flow through the apparatus.

'1. In a water softener, a container for holding.

water softening material, a water supply line connected to said container forsending water up through the water, softening (means 'for backwashing, a discharge line connected to said con-- tainer for discharging to waste the backwashwater after it has passed through the water softening material, a bypass connected at one end to the discharge line before its point of discharge, the other end of the bypass discharging into the water in the container below the water softening material, and pressure boosting means connected to the bypass for sucking back some of-the waste -water .from the discharge line through the bypass and forcing it into the container to serve againasbackwash watenw I 8. In a water softener, a containerfor holding water softening material, a water supply line connected to said container for sending water up through the water softening means for backwashing, a discharge line connected to said consupply line sucks back some of the waste water from the discharge line through the bypass into the water supply line and forces it into the container to serve again as backwash water.

9. In a water softener, a container for holding liquid, a receptacle for holding regenerating material out of contact with said liquid, said receptacle being in communication with said container for discharging said material into the liquid, and means controlled by the flow through the softener for discharging a measured quantity of said material into said liquid at a predetermined time in the operation of the softener.

10. In a water treating apparatus, means for holding water treating material, means for subjecting said material to phases of softening, backwash, regeneration and rinsing, including a piping system for conveying the flow through said apparatus, a plurality of valves for controlling the flow through said system for effecting said phases, a plurality of pressure tubes connected to said valves, said valves operating to allow or stop the flow through themselves in accordance with the pressure in said tubes, valve means connected to said tubes for selectively allowing the escape of water from said tubes to control the pressure therein, said valve means having a part moved by the flow of water through the apparatus for controlling the escape of water from said tubes in a predetermined sequence.

11. A plurality of valves for the circulation system of water treating apparatus in accordance with their opening and closing controlling the flow through said system for efl'ecting the phases of treatment, each of said valves having a chamber'with an inflow opening and an outflow opening, said latter opening being at an end of the chamber and the inflow opening being at the side of the chamber and substantially adjacent said end, a piston slidably mounted in said chamber, loosely fitting therein allowing thereby water from the inflow opening to leak past the piston into one end of the chamber away from the outflow opening thereby building up pressure on the side of the piston away from the outflow opening and forcing the piston to move away from said latter end toward the outflow opening and seal it off, a pressure tube leading from said latter end of the chamber, water leaking out through the pressure tube when opened relieving thereby the pressure built up by leakage in said end permitting the piston to move away from the outflow opening under the influence of the water pressure from the inflow opening and opening the valve thereby, and means for opening and closing the pressure tubes, said piston having at least one axial groove on its side extending from the end of the piston nearer the pressure tube, to a point Just short of the opposite end of the plunger whereby there is slow leakage past the piston when located in its extreme position away from the outflow opening and fast leakage through the groove when the piston is located elsewhere.

12. A plurality of valves for the circulation system of water treating apparatus in accordance with their opening.and closing controlling the flow through said system for effecting the phases of treatment, each of said valves having a chamber with an inflow opening and an outflow opening, said latter opening being at an end of the chamber and the inflow opening being at the side of the chamber and substantially adjacent said end, a piston slidably mounted in said chamber, loosely fitting therein allowing thereby water from the inflow opening to leak past the piston into the end of the chamber away from the outflow opening thereby building up pressure on the side of the piston away from the outflow opening and forcing the piston to move away from said end toward the outflow opening and seal it 011, a pressure tube leading from said latter end of the chamber, water leaking out through the pressure built up by leakage tube when opened relieving thereby the pressure in said latter end permitting the piston to move away from the outflow opening under the influence of the water I pressure from the inflow opening and opening the leakage through the groove when located else-' where.

WILLIAM H. SYMONS. 

